Boyne Hill lost by 44 runs to previously winless Slough 2nds after a tame batting performance on home soil.

New signing and wicket-keeper Simon Carter, who has joined the club after leaving relegated Marlow, made a typically swashbuckling 55 batting at No.8 but it was still not enough as the Hill were dismissed for 155 with almost four overs remaining.

This score was in response to Slough’s 199 in 41 overs which was built around the top order runs of Yaqoot Rafiq (38), Sajid Hussain (49) and Mohammed Awais (20).

A few late blows from tail-enders Omar Jamshad (14no) and Nadeem Syed (11), plus 21 extras which included 19 wides, gave Slough a defendable total.

Jay Lloyd was the pick of the bowlers with 5-54 from his 10 overs, while Bilal Asgar (2-46) and Mudasser Ansari (3-28) shared the other wickets.

The Hill’s reply with the bat started poorly as they lost opener Tom Mellor (0), all-rounder Hamid Riaz (8) and Sri Lankan Shalika Karuanayake (0) cheaply.

Sajid Ali (33) and captain Ollie Clayson (12) put together a modest stand after which Warren Miller hit three fours and a six in an attractive 30, but they were always off the pace. Carter’s 55 – which included five fours and three sixes – gave the hosts some hope until he was dismissed.

The Hill earned 10 points in defeat

On Saturday, they make the short trip across town to newly promoted rivals North Maidenhead.

Despite long being adversaries, the two 1st teams have only ever been in the same division once before, back in 2000, the year North Maids won TVL Division 3A.

Val Brand pulling a cracker with PM Theresa May PM Theresa May visiting a festive lunch for people who are alone this festive season will be held at SportsAble, Braywick Road, Maidenhead on Christmas Day. PM Theresa May, Jo Gwilliam Organised by Churches Together Maidenhead. Photo by Ian Longthorne

Roadworks sign signalling start of £4.5 million town centre improvement scheme is up on Frascati Way, Maidenhead next to the traffic lights. Cars are going to be able to turn right out of Nicholsons once works are over.